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Legend of Zelda Preview by: Kazooie

Zelda has been one of the more popular Nintendo games for many years ever since its release on the original NES system. Then it started to get released on N64 and it made it self even better with by far some of the best graphics, storylines and the overall best fighting game with weapons. Ocarina of Time and Majora's mask both excelled high expectations for Zelda games, what can make Zelda better, but a GCN game?

This Zelda game seems to have Link and his Hyrulian world completely transformed into an interactive cartoon style game. The center of the game is based on an extremely advanced toon-shading engine, and is embellished by luscious, silky smooth animations (kind of like in movies ya see at the theater). At the E3 expo last May, many people were stunned at this new style for this game, but Miyamoto assured everyone that none of this has changed Zelda at all. Many People still don't like the new cartooney look though. This Zelda game will have many new features also.

New Features: · New look employs extensive cel-shading techniques · Play as child Link throughout most of the game · More expansive 3D worlds than other Zelda games · Fluid, Warner Bros.-style cartoony animation · All new weapons and maybe even a new enemy! · More control options with the gcn controller

The new cartoon look of the game is receiving mixed receptions across the board. Some fans of the series are thrilled to see the franchise take such a unique new turn, while many others hate to see one of Nintendo's most mature games take a turn towards Toon Town. Visually speaking Zelda is using the GameCube unlike any other game out there. The console has unique toon-shading abilities that hardly any other GCN software has tapped into. All the characters cast real-time shadows, objects feature dynamic lighting, the collision detection seems solid, and the art style as a whole is awesome.

What can we expect judging from Zelda and from the seemingly untapped power of Gamecube? A lot, that's for sure. I can't even begin to list off all of the improvements that we'll see with the new Zelda graphic wise. Better wall texturization, larger dungeons, bigger bosses, and more hours in front of the screen are just some of the features will see in Zelda.

What kind of direction is Zelda going to take? Will it become more of an adventure or more of an RPG? More of a fantasy or more of a reality based game? One thing you can count on though, and that's the fact that Nintendo will NOT screw this title up like it has so other many games. When Zelda makes it's appearance on the Gamecube, it shall be a big hit to everyone.

Zelda looks to be one of the first titles to pit gamers in a convincing cartoon environment complete with all the dazzling animations, particle effects, and exaggerated look one would expect. It still features a third-person perspective so it stands to reason it will still have the patented Z-trigger lock-on battle system and probably an evolved version of that. In the end the game play has always been Zelda's appeal and we think that will stick. The franchise has always done a good job of pushing its own limits, setting standards for others that follow in its wake.

Legend of Zelda for GameCube (still without an official name) will launch in December 2002.It's a long time to wait, but it should of course be worth it! In between now and then Nintendo will have to convince many fans that the cartoon world is a better choice. And it doesn't really matter what kind of graphics it has to me, I love Zelda games so I shall get it no matter what. So I should hope that this game will have high expectations and a good popular buy. Not much info has been released on the game yet, but when it does the Internet will be buzzing. I can't wait for this game to come out on GCN.

Official Japan Release Date: June 02
Official U.S Release Date: December 02

Presentation The new Zelda features a cel-shaded look. Which, depending on the person, could be a good thing, or a bad thing.	8.0
Graphics If a game is cel-shaded, it obviously can't be an amazing life like game. Although, with the upcoming Zelda, there are some amazing graphics being put out.	9.0
Gameplay Since the game is upcoming, not much can be said about the gameplay. But, from what we've seen, it will be an RPG like no other…	8.5
Overall The up and coming Zelda will be a great game, no matter if it's cel-shaded or not. That is just a personal preference that might interfere.	9.0